Maya

Maya is 42 years old. She is married and has two children aged 22 and 17. In 2004, she established her grocery store business. Working seven days a week and 12 hours a day, she supports her family. She has already received and successfully repaid five loans from Patan BPW and used her most recent loan to buy groceries for her business. In the future, Maya plans to improve her family's economic conditions. She thanks you for your support. In the Kathmandu Valley, the small grocery stores, called a pasal, is an important part of the local economy. Fresh produce, milk, and staples such as rice, lentils, and flour are purchased daily for cooking in the home. Owners of small grocery stores use Kiva loans to increase their purchasing power and profit margins. By keeping inventory strong and purchasing in larger amounts, owners of these small stores are able to increase profitability. While a typical pasal might be no more than 100 sq. feet, they are always full of bargaining customers, incoming produce, and shrewd businesswomen.

Additional Information

About BPW Patan

This loan was administered by Kiva's Field Partner, Patan Business and Professional Women. BPW Patan became Kiva's first Field Partner in Nepal in 2007. BPW Patan is continuing to operate after the serious earthquake which took place in Nepal in April 2015. Given the difficult circumstances borrowers and partners face post-natural disasters, these loans may therefore carry additional risk. BPW Patan operates throughout the Kathmandu Valley, offering microcredit, business training, and literacy classes to low-income women in both urban and rural areas. BPW Patan uses a group lending methodology, which not only allows women without collateral to access finance, but also provides members with a valuable support system. In addition to providing economic opportunities to its clients, BPW Patan seeks to empower Nepali women within their homes and communities. For more information about BPW Patan, visit the BPW Patan Partner Page and keep an eye out for new loans and borrower updates. Also, please consider joining the BPW Patan Lending Team to show your support.